Men to gather at Mater-Dei for special event

Riverina men struggling after a shocking murder-suicide are being offered help at a special gathering in Wagga Wagga tonight.

The Mater-Dei Catholic College will host the men's event from 6:30pm (AEST), with presentations by male medical specialists to be followed by a barbecue.

Principal Greg Miller says the night has the support of the Langfield family and the school's female community.

He hopes the men will gather strength by a showing of solidarity.

"We felt there was a need based on the conversations being had on the sidelines of sporting fields or in the canteens of schools," he said.

"We had a few activity sessions with our students and throughout the first week after the tragedy and since then, there's been a lot of men voice quite openly their struggles and response to what's taken place."

Daniel Hayes leads the Adult Mental Health Team at the Murrumbidgee Medicare Local and will speak at tonight's event.

He says talking about suicide does not put the idea in people's minds, or offend people, rather it is something that is appreciated and shows you care.

Mr Hayes says it is best to be direct, and ask straight out if someone is feeling suicidal.

"We're not mind readers, we can't pick up on what people are trying to say, but if we ask something clearly and directly we get an answer and then we know what we're working with then," he said.

"If the person says no, you know it's a not a life or death matter possibly.

"If someone says yes, you can link them up with some help.

Lifeline can also help, 24 hours a day on 13 11 14

Men across the Riverina are being encouraged to treat their mental health, the same as any other health complaint.

Mr Hayes says men should allow themselves time to grieve and if they notice a mate feeling down, ask how they are.

"If you are feeling suicidal or you are feeling down and you're having a mental health concern you're not any less of a man for getting help for that," he said.

"Mental health issues are so common throughout any population - male or female.

"People also think there's not help out there, but there certainly is and it's just about creating that awareness."

Mr Miller hopes the event will help with the healing process.

"If nothing else, just the opportunity to stop and reflect, but I hope they take away with them, that they're more informed in how to care for themselves, they're more informed in how to nurture their children, who may be struggling with the current situation," he said.

"And also a greater awareness of their feelings over the next weeks and months in response to what's been a very tragic situation and it's cut deeply."

Meanwhile, the state's Planning Department has given approval for the Wagga Base Hospital's new Mental Health Unit to be built.

The 50 bed facility is the first phase of the $282m rebuild of the hospital and more than doubles the number of mental health beds to serve Riverina residents.

The Member for Wagga, Daryl Maguire says the new unit is expected to be operating by next year, when the second stage of the rebuild will begin.